Read about the life and work of the Attingham Wardens

Attingham Park is a National Trust property comprising of an 18th Century mansion set in a Repton landscape; the Park and wider Estate includes a deer park, walled garden, several miles of the rivers Severn and Tern, extensive farmland and woodlands.

Thursday, 16 August 2012

Something special this way comes...

7 Days is just a few weeks away.

If you visit AttinghamPark between 1st and 7th September you will get to meet some of our National Specialists during tours, talks and walks. This group of experts work within highly specialised disciplines. Their aim this week is to give you a unique and in-depth perspective into all aspects of the property and estate as well as broader aspects of their work in the National Trust.

The National Specialists offer knowledge and advice to properties and regional consultants on particular subjects such as the conservation of historic artefacts. They support both core work and projects. The National Specialists are authorities in their fields of expertise and lead developments within their specialist areas and have significant external advocacy roles at UK and international levels.

We split the group into three categories to give you an idea of the roles and responsibilities of the National Specialists - museums and collections, outdoors and nature and environmental practices.

Our outdoors and nature National Specialists are faced with the issues of climate change and the threats to wildlife habitats and our landscape. The coastline is eroding, increased rainfall and flooding are changing the landscape and new pests and diseases are infecting our plants and trees. Our outdoors and nature specialists have 250 000 hectares of beautiful National Trust land and over 700 miles of coastline to preserve, enhance and promote. It’s a good job then that they are a large group.

Beetles and bugs abound from canopy to ground in our woodland. Things with wings fill our gardens with buzzing and fluttering. National Trust owned land is a vast source of nationally important data for our bio survey team who tell us what we have, where it is and how many there are. The team advises properties on land management for the sustainability and enhancement of wildlife.

Adaptation is a keyword in nature and coastline conservation. We now accept that we cannot always prevent changes caused by the ever changing climate. Our coast and marine adviser and land use adviser are championing adaptation as a way to realise the potential for a positive outcome of change.

We have a specialist gardens historian and a natureand wildlife experience advisor who help us to make the most of our natural heritage. Our agriculture and food adviser provides advice to properties and tenanted farms on farm management, animal welfare and sustainable, quality food production.

The Trust’s head of forestry cares for 24 000 hectares of wonderful woodland. We own some of the oldest, tallest, and most important trees in the country. Our ancient trees adviser is an expert on the ancient cathedrals of the natural world, the oldest of which are over a thousand years old. Our adviser for plant health is also working closely with trees and other plants, building awareness of new disease threats and advising properties on preventive measures. Our trees are also a great source of renewable materials and fuel.

Here are just 5 of the talks during the week giving you an idea of the wealth and depth of experiences available during the week. Visit the Attingham events page for a full schedule.

Ray Hawse - Head of Forestry - 'Magnificent trees'

The Trust’s head of forestry cares for 24 000 hectares of wonderful woodland. We own some of the oldest, tallest, and most important trees in the country.

For thousands of years trees and woods have been used for many different purposes to benefit mankind but how they are valued and exploited is constantly changing to reflect the varying needs of society. By looking at trees and woods generally across the UK and at National Trust properties specifically, Ray Hawes attempts to find out if there is such a thing as a “Perfect Tree”. Saturday and Thursday.

Tamsin Phillips - Waste advisor - 'More than a load of rubbish'

Reducing waste, improving recycling facilities and responsible waste practices are the realm of our specialist waste adviser.What waste do we generate now and what do we do with it? How does this differ from waste management in the past? Tamzin’s talk on Sunday will discuss packaging, ‘waste miles’, repairing and recycling and composting food waste.

Plant diseases such as Acute Oak Decline, Phytophthora blight, and Bleeding Canker in Horse Chestnut have all recently become established in the UK and are becoming increasingly difficult to control, whilst others appear to be escalating towards almost epidemic status. It is generally accepted that the way we trade with each other and move freely and easily around the world will only continue to increase the likelihood of more new pests and diseases arriving.So what actually can we do to ensure we provide a more positive future for our gardens, landscapes and woodlands?Come and listen on Thursday to see what we are already doing and what you can do to help.

Adaptation is a keyword in nature and coastline conservation. We now accept that we cannot always prevent changes caused by the ever changing climate. Our coast and marine adviser and land use adviser are championing adaptation as a way to realise the potential for a positive outcome of change.

Join Katherine and Phil on Thursday for a discussion on all aspects of the water course from the river Tern to the coast and sea.

There will also be exciting activities to take part in that will let you see Attingham from a whole new perspective - how about canoeing along the River Tern, zorbing across a pond or climbing to a platform above the Walled Garden? There will be deer park rides too, and honey spinning with Attingham honey... this is the first week of its kind and is going to be fantastic to be part of. There is so much going on you might want to start planning your week now!